Reclining and lying means, particularly for a bed

ABSTRACT

A structure for supporting a reclining and lying means comprises a lath grating (14) formed from a plurality of transverse laths (13) which is arranged on a support structure (10,20) having at least two longitudinally oriented, spaced longitudinal beams (spring bodies) (12, 12&#39;; 22, 22&#39;) acting resiliently at right angles to their loading and which are assembled into a structural unit with approximately regularly arranged spring elements (13) and lath grating (14) operatively connected by a cover which holds the components together.

The invention relates to a reclining and lying means with a grating-likearrangement of a plurality of transverse laths, slats or battensarranged on a common support or substrate structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The progressive constructional development of such reclining and lyingmeans is essentially based on the criteria given hereinafter:

a. from the orthopaedic standpoint the complete lying surface is to beconstructed in such a way that, as a function of the weight, size andlying characteristics (reclining position) the body of the user issupported in an optimum manner and can rest in a relaxed state;

b. from the hygiene standpoint, the moisture given off by the user isadequately led away and breathing characteristics (ventilation) areensured; and

c. from the handling standpoint, an optimum lightweight, easy design issought, whilst retaining the lying and reclining qualities.

The state of the art in connection with lath grating beds is directed atflexibly supporting resilient transverse laths, the individual lathforming the main spring element. The lath considered to be the mainspring element generally has complicated multilayer gluing, in order tobring about the so-called camber. This camber ensures that under load,the individual spring laths are straightened and consequently the lyingsurface is "flat". This loading-dependent lying "plane" is matched tothe load exerted by an average human being (generally with a height of170 cm and a weight of 70 kg). This suffers from one of manydisadvantages that a person weighing less, e.g. 50 kg and resting on thecamber has less sleeping comfort, as does a heavier person, e.g.weighing 90 kg who lies on laths which have sunk down or sagged. Thus,in these circumstances, there is an uncontrolled springiness, on thebasis of the overall spring action. The interaction with a sufficientlythick mattress reduces this discomfort, but in principle the fundamentaldefficiency remains.

Moreover, known lath grating beds are still relatively solid, heavyconstructions with a plurality of individual elements, such as lathposition stabilizers, which are generally centrally located, terminalflexible elements and their fixing to the lath and frame (it beingimpossible without the frame) together with the further refinenentsbased on additional or special laths, generally in special colours.Thus, to achieve a satisfactory individual spring action, considerableeffort and expenditure are required, whilst still not always achievingthe sought objective.

An object of the present invention is to provide and further develop areclining and lying means of the aforementioned type, so that it ispossible to satisfy the aforementioned requirements (criteria a,b,c),whilst ensuring a controllable spring action in a simple and economicmanner.

According to the invention this problem is solved in that thespringiness function of the lath elements arranged in grating-likemanner is transfered to support elements (spring bodies) actingresiliently at right angles to their load and on which they aresupported. Preferably the approximately regularly arranged lying lathswith a covering structure (fabric structure) and the resiliently actingsupport elements form a constructional unit. The support elements(spring bodies) are preferably easily interchangeable, for controllingthe spring strength, deflector, etc.

As a result of the lying surface according to the invention, it ispossible to ensure a uniform springiness adaptable to the differenthuman body weights and sizes over the entire surface, i.e. the lyingplane functions together with the human body, independently of themattress. The resilience or springiness is essentially defined by theelasticity of the support elements (spring bodies) runninglongitudinally and not by the lath elements in their grating-likearrangement and is preferably adapted by the spring bodies to the user'sweight. In the case of misadaptation, the lying surface still remainsflat and is merely considered to be too hard or soft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail hereinafterrelative to the drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 2 and 1A are schematic diagrams in side view of an unloaded and aloaded lying surface according to the prior art;

FIGS. 1 and 2A are schematic diagrams in side view of an unloaded and aloaded lying surface according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation in section, of a support or substratestructure for a reclining and lying means in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a support structure according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a second embodiment of the support structure shown insectional view;

FIG. 6 is a third embodiment of a support structure;

FIG. 6A is a fourth embodiment of a support structure;

FIG. 7 is a portion of the support structure according to FIG. 3 shownin perspective plan view;

FIG. 8 is a fifth embodiment of a support structure according to FIGS. 3and 5 in a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a portion of the support structure according to FIG. 11;

FIG. 10 is a sixth embodiment of a support structure with a partitionedspring element in the longitudinal direction; and

FIG. 11 is a seventh embodiment of a support structure with a profiledintermediate layer, e.g. for orthopaedic purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1, 1A and 2A show in stylized form a functional example of a lathgrating lying surface according to the prior art compared with such asurface according to the invention. They show the fundamentaldifferences in the spring dynamics occuring as a result of the inventionon the one hand and the prior art on the other.

Both the stylized lath grating lying surfaces of FIGS. 1, 1A and 2, 2Ahave as basic components a longitudinal beam 1 which, in the prior artcan also be a rigid bedframe between which the laths are fixed, as wellas transverse laths connected to the longitudinal beam. An assumedloading curve B is superimposed on both the constructions and both reactin their characteristic manner with a loading profile or lying curve L.

FIG. 1 shows the lying surface with a rigid longitudinal beam 1, a lathspring system with spring elements identified as 2A-2H and with laths 3identified as 3A-3H, which have their standard spring function in thelongitudinal direction. The broken line assumes that loading curve B ischosen in such a way that the construction is strongly loaded in itselastic adaptation. FIG. 1A shows the reaction to this loading case.Laths 3A, 3B and 3C are uniformly slightly loaded and spring elements2A, 2B and 2C scarcely reveal any deformation. Lath 3D is loaded insloping manner and spring element 2D is deformed on one side. In thecase of laths 3E, 3F and 3G, the spring elements are forced through upto the stop member such that the resulting lying curve L is distortedwith respect to the loading curve in the vicinity of the springelements. In the vicinity of lath 3F, where the maximum spring travelshould occur, there is a springiness deficit D of magnitude X. Thisspringiness deficit D is uncontrollably absorbed by the spring action ofthe now bent transverse laths. However, orthopaedic teaching states thatan underbed, even in the case of very considerable loading, must not"sag" longitudinally in the centre of the transverse laths, so that thevertebral column is correctly supported. Thus, known lying surfaces havelimits with respect to the spring deflection of the transverse laths(spring deflection limitation, adjustable spring strengths, etc.). It isclear that without additional and in part complicated special measures,from the orthopaedic standpoint such constructions are overstressed oroverloaded. Thus, the missing lying comfort is not infrequently broughtabout by means of the mattress, which means that the bed structure doesnot fulfill its function and from the hygienic standpoint brings about adeterioration of the characteristics of the bed. This means that atleast in this area the spring elements are no longer able to fulfill thespringiness function and the construction is overloaded.

However, the situation is quite different in the case of the inventivelying surface of FIG. 2. The primary elements are supported on a fixed(non-resilient) substrate 4 or on the floor. These are elasticlongitudinal beams 1 (spring bodies) with lying laths 3 supportedthereon and which are generally straight, i.e. have no functionalbending and in whose longitudinal direction they do not have to exertany special spring function when loaded. Thus, the complete spring orspringiness function is transferred to the elastic longitudinal beams(spring bodies). The same loading curve B as shown in FIG. 1A is alsoshown here in superimposed form. The effect of this loading case isshown in FIG. 2A. Over the entire bed width, lying curve L coincideswith loading curve B, so that there is no distortion in the outer ormarginal region and there is no significant springiness deficit D. Thus,the inventive construction is able to provide better adaptation to ananatomical loading profile. The aforementioned orthopaedic teaching issatisfied, in that the elasticity of the longitudinal beams (springbodies) is chosen as a function of the user's weight. If use is made ofan excessively soft material, there can still be no longitudinal sag,because the spring travel is limited by the fixed substrate 4, whichdoes not sag. If an excessively hard or rigid material is used, the userstill does not lie on a camber, because no pretensioned transverse lathsare used. The lying surface is merely considered to be somewhat toohard. This can be easily adapted in subsequently described embodiments.

In the longitudinal direction, the anatomical loading profile has a muchgreater significance than in the transverse direction. Although hithertothe greatest efforts have been made to make lath grating beds moreadvantageous from the lying standpoint in the transverse direction thanin the longitudinal direction, this was due to the general developmentof such beds. The first efforts were directed at a resilient action ofthe then rigid laths, which could only at a later date be flexiblyfixed. Since then there has been no fundamental change, despite constantefforts to obtain maximum spring comfort in the longitudinal direction.

The lying surface construction according to the inventive idea permitsvery lightweight and also simple embodiments. As can be gathered fromthe further drawings, such lying surfaces can be placed directly on thefloor or in a conventional bed frame. This permits many different uses,e.g. as a camping bed, emergency couch, normal bed, wall bed, etc.without any loss of the lying comfort, which is very considerable in theprice range of a camping bed. If it is borne in mind that all theaforementioned applications have hitherto required their own specialdesigns and were subject to enormous quality differences, the lyingsubstrate reducing these to a common denominator represents a veryprogressive idea.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view and FIG. 4 a side view of theessential parts of a support or substrate structure 10.

Support structure 10 comprises at least two parallel-spaced longitudinalbeams (spring bodies) 12, 12' (or 1 according to FIG. 2, 2A) running inthe longitudinal direction of the support structure and on which arearranged a plurality of transverse laths 13 substantially oriented atright angles thereto. The individual, spaced transverse laths form alath grating 14. The fixed, non-resilient substrate 4 according to FIG.2, 2A is referred to as support beam 11, 11'.

The support structure 10' shown in FIG. 5 essentially corresponds to thesupport structure 10 described hereinbefore relative to FIGS. 3 and 4.Unlike in the former cases, in the present embodiment there are threespaced longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12, 12', 12", e.g. for adouble bed or when using softer material for the longitudinal beams 12(spring bodies).

In the case of approximately regularly spaced transverse laths 13 areoperatively connected with the longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12,12', 12" in a not shown manner and together therewith essentially form aconstructional unit resting on carriers 11, 11', 11", corresponding tothe longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12, 12', 12", of a not shown bedframe or on the floor.

FIG. 6 shows a support structure 20, which has two or more integrated,spaced longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 22, 22', 22", a plurality oftransverse laths 23 and a foil-like underlayer 25. The latteressentially comprises a central part 25' interconnecting the members 22,22' and two side parts 21, 21'. In the outer region of underlayer 25,side parts 21, 21' are provided with spaced pockets 24, 24' in thelongitudinal direction of support structure 20 which are constructed toreceive transverse laths 23. On the other side facing underlayer 25, itis possible to provide an overlayer 28 (dotted line) which is also infoil-like forn and covers the transverse laths 23. In the vicinity ofpockets 24, 24', overlayer 28 is connected to underlayer 25 by a notshown fastener or zipper running over the entire length of the supportstructure 20.

It is pointed out here that in use, in connection with the supportstructure 10 according to FIG. 4, on the lath grating 14 can be looselyplaced a lightweight over-mattress, preferably in the form of a notshown futon. Through the loose application of a futon or the like, it ispossible to ensure above-average ventilation of the hygienicallystressed material, without involving additional expenditure. Such afuton is generally much less expensive than a conventional mattress.

FIG. 6A shows a modified embodiment based on FIG. 5, in which theoverlayer 28 is merely stretched over a centrally running, resilientlyacting longitudinal beam (spring body) 12", whereas the two outerlateral, resiliently acting longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12, 12'are not covered. These outer longitudinal beams are e.g. inserted intunnelways, in such a way that if needed can be replaced easily withoutrequiring any special aids. Corresponding details are provided inconnection with FIG. 9.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of a support structure 10" in perspective planview. This support structure 10" essentially corresponds to parts 11',12', 13 of support structure 10, 10' of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Divergingtherefrom, in this embodiment there is a foil-like underlayer 35, whichis laterally provided with spaced pockets. The portion shown in FIG. 7shows one side of the support structure 10" and it is possible to seethe side part 31' with pockets 34, in which the transverse laths 13 areinserted and positively secured. In the vicinity of the support surfaceon carrier 11', the foillike underlayer 35 is preferably reinforced.

FIG. 8 shows as a further embodiment a covering type, which differs fromthat shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and extends beyond that of FIG. 6A. Thesupport structure is formed by several, preferably two or three,integrated, spaced longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12, 12', 12", aplurality of transverse laths 13 and a covering 40. The covering withthe aforementioned pockets 24, 34 runs completely along the transverselaths 13. The longitudinally directed carrier elements 12, 12', 12" areinserted in tunnelways 32 sewn onto the covering and relative to whichdetails will be given in conjunction with FIG. 9. Covering 40 isrelatively snug fitting in the transverse lath direction, so that in anyloading case the laths remain in their associated pockets (FIGS. 6, 7and 8). Normally there is no sagging of the transverse laths 13. Thelaths are preferably made from unglued solid wood, have a thickness of8-12 mm, have no camber and are therefore easy to manufacture. However,in the case of an extreme concentrated load these laths do bend or bow,e.g. when standing or jumping on such a support structure. It may occurin such a case that a transverse lath will slip out of its pocket, butit can easily be returned into place by e.g. using a shoehorn.

Hereinafter a description is given of special developments andcharacteristics of the individual elements of the support structures 10,10', 10" and 20. The longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 1, 12, 12', 12"and 22, 22' shown in the drawings are basically constructed asresiliently acting shaped or moulded parts.

The longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12, 12', 12" shown in FIGS. 3-6have a full profile cross-section and are made from an elastic material,e.g. latex foam, foan rubber, foams or the like with a polygonal,parallelepipedic, circular or elliptical shape. In the case of beds forchildren, it is recommended that a square crosssection of 50-70 mmshould be used, whereas in the case of beds for adults this should be70-100 mm, in order to ensure the full, neccessary spring travel.Preference is given to the use of soft materials, particularly flexiblefoamed latex, so that through the weight of the bed substrate, thelongitudinal beams readily adapt to a given contour of the rigidsubstrate 4, 11.

The longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 22, 22' shown in FIG. 6 areconstructed as hose or tube-like hollow bodies and can have aparallelepipedic, circular or elliptical profile cross-section. Theselongitudinal beams are constructed as inflatable hollow bodies, to whichare welded or on which are shaped the side parts 21, 21' as well as thecentral part 25' of underlayer 25.

The individual, lath-like transverse laths 13 together form the lathgrating 14. The individual transverse lath 13 is preferably made fromunglued solid wood. Further materials can be layer-glued plywood,appropriately shaped plastic, extruded profiles or relatively thin steelsheeting or the like.

For all embodiments, the distance between the individual transverselaths 13 is preferably approximately 10-20 mm, so that it is possible toensure an adequate supporting and springiness of the body resting on thesubstrate or support structure, together with an optimum exclusion ofmoisture (ventilation). The transverse laths 13 preferably have thefollowing dimensions: thickness 8-12 mm, width 20-45 mm and length70-120 mm. The projection length over the longitudinal beams (centralaxis) is preferably 10-15%.

In the represented embodiments, the individual transverse laths 13 areinserted in the spaced pockets 34 and are consequently fixed in position(cf. FIG. 7). The transverse laths 13 inserted in pockets 24, 24', 34'can be removed, turned or replaced with respect to the pockets withoutrequiring any special aids.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the individual transverselaths 13 can be placed on the longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12,12', 12" and held together by not shown means, e.g. by a not shown belt(loop) or the like or can be operatively connected by adhesion with thesaid longitudinal beams. In a not shown embodiment, corresponding,spaced recesses can be provided for fixing the position of thetransverse laths 13 in the longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 12, 12',12".

The construction according to FIG. 6 is to serve as a camping bed,emergency couch, mass bed, etc. and is placed directly on the ground.Support structure 20 has inflatable longitudinal beams (spring bodies)22, 22', which form a unit with underlayer 25 or flexible longitudinalbeams (spring bodies) 12, together with covering 40 (see FIG. 9). Thenecessary pretensioning of underlayer 25 is produced by the transverselaths 13 inserted in pockets 24, 24'. Underlayer 25 or covering 40 canbe made from a fabric or cloth, which is provided on support surface 26,preferably with a decorative, not shown pattern, so that when suchlightweight lying supports are not in use they can e.g. serve as adecorative wall and can be detachably fixed by means of rings. By meansof said rings, the lightweight bed structure can also be hung on awardrobe-like frame, together with the lightweight, thin, mattress-likefuton.

The support structures 10, 10' and 20 can be used either as anindividual bed or as a mass couch and held together by means of rings 29or zippers R1/R2. A further advantage is that the support structure 20with the inflatable longitudinal beams (spring bodies) 22, 22' accordingto FIG. 6 in the uninflated state can be longitudinally rolled up or, inthe embodiment according to FIG. 10 folded together and then kept inthis way by means of zippers R1/R2, so than an easily transportable,compact unit is formed. The latter can be used as a pocket.

As shown in FIG. 4, the support structure 10, 10', 10" and 20 can besubdivided into individual different hardness zones K, R and B extendingover the entire length, K being the head part, R the body part and B theleg part. In a not shown embodiment a head support is e.g. provided inthe head part K. For demanding orthopaedic adaptations (cf. FIG. 11),the hard, non-resilient substrate 4, 11 is brought into the desired,anatomically necessary form (lying profile) by means of profiled, butrigid intermediate bodies 4' between longitudinal beams 1, 12 andsubstrate 4, 11. Due to the "softness" of the longitudinal beams (springbodies), the lying substrate follows the desired shape predetermined bythe intermediate bodies 4' (lying profile). This type of flexibility isa characteristic of the lying substrate according to the invention,which adapts to a predetermined profile as a result of its own shape.For orthopaedic purposes, this permits all possible profiling forms. Fornormal use, the lying substrate is either placed on a planar, rigidsubstrate 4 or on rigid support members 11, 11', e.g. in a bed frame.

Thus, the invention essentially relates to a support structure 10 or 20with at least two longitudinally oriented, spaced longitudinal beams(spring bodies) 12, 12' or 22, 22', which act resiliently at rightangles to their loading and which are constructed as a constructionalunit with the approximately regularly arranged and therefore operativelyconnected transverse laths 13 of lath grating 14. A cloth structure ispreferably used for forming the constructional unit.

FIG. 9 shows a detail as to how the elastic longitudinal beams (springbodies) 12, 12', 12" can be inserted in easily interchangeable mannerinto tunnelways 32. Tunnelway 32 is sewn onto e.g. covering 25, 40 bymeans of sewing points 43, either as shown in FIG. 8, or as shown inFIGS. 6 and 6A. On the longitudinal side, tunnelway 32 has a closure 30,which can be in the form of a zipper, burr closure etc. The tunnelway isthen opened in such a way that the elastic carrier elements 12 can beeasily removed from the tunnelway and then reinserted therein. This ise.g. very useful, if it is necessary to replace or interchange theseelements due to wear, or due to adaptation to a different user weight,for cleaning, etc. In addition, this solution also contributes torational manufacture. This drawing also shows an embodiment inconjunction with two lying means lOA, lOB, both bed parts are providedlengthwise with a zipper R1 or R2, which can be interconnected. Thus,several couchs can be joined into a larger couch or mass bed by such azipper connection R1/R2.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment with subdivided, i.e. partitionedlongitudinal beams 1. Groove P is made centrally in the longitudinalbeams and makes it possible to fold or flap the lying surface. The couchcan be folded up in the direction of arrow Z in small space form bymeans of two grooves P. The folded couchs or beds can generally bestacked in a small space and are therefore advantageous when littlespace is available.

Finally, FIG. 11 shows the unloaded lying support 10 on a rigidintermediate layer 4' with an e.g. orthopaedically conditioned profile Sand which is in turn placed on a conventional substrate 4, 11, 11'. Suchintermediate layers may only extend over part of the total length of thelying support. Further characteristics in connection with FIG. 11 havealready been mentioned in the discussion of FIG. 4.

Despite the great versatility of this lightweight, easily handlablestructure, it is in all cases a full bed with full lying comfort. Noneof the embodiments constitutes a functionally "frugal" solution, such asis generally the case with simplified constructions.

I claim:
 1. A structure for supporting a reclining human bodycomprisinga plurality of elongated, substantially parallel, spaced apartlongitudinally extending spring beam members placeable on a rigidsupport surface, each of said spring beam members being yieldable andelastic in a direction substantially perpendicular to their longitudinaldimension; a plurality of transverse lath members for receiving thereclining body, each of said lath members resting on and being supportedat the ends of said lath members by said spring beam members without thelath members and spring beam members being fixedly attachedtherebetween, said lath members being movable vertically withoutsignificant flexing in response to the weight of said body as saidspring beam members yield elastically; and a flexible support sheetextending generally between opposite ends of said lath members andengaging said spring beam members and holding said spring and lathmembers together in a resiliently responsive, stable assembly, saidsupport sheet havingmeans for removably attaching said sheet to saidopposite ends of said lath members.
 2. A structure according to claim 1wherein said means for removably attaching said sheet to said oppositeends of said lath members includes pockets formed along opposite edgesof said sheet to receive the ends of said lath members.
 3. A structureaccording to claim 2 wherein said support sheet passes from the pocketsat one ends of said lath members underneath and against said spring beammembers to the pockets at the other ends of said lath members.
 4. Astructure according to claim 3 and further comprising a second flexiblesheet extending across upper surfaces of said lath members, said secondsheet being detachably connected to said support sheet.
 5. A structureaccording to claim 4 and further comprising means defining flexibletubes for receiving said spring beam members, said means defining saidtubes being substantially permanently attached to said support sheet. 6.A structure according to claim 5 wherein each of said spring beammembers is divided along its length into a plurality of end-to-end zoneseach having a selected support hardness different from the other zones,the zone at a head-supporting portion of the structure having thestiffest support hardness.
 7. A structure according to claim 6 whereineach of said spring beam members is made from elastic foam and has across-section in the shape of a regular polygon.
 8. A structureaccording to claim 6 wherein each of said spring beam members is madefrom elastic foam and has a cross-section in the shape of a rectangle.9. A structure according to claim 6 wherein each of said spring beammembers is made from elastic foam and has a cross-section in the shapeof a circle.
 10. A structure according to claim 6 wherein each of saidspring beam members is made from elastic foam and has a cross-section inthe shape of a hollow tubular member.
 11. A structure according to claim1 and including loops means for interconnecting said ends of said lathmembers and said spring beam members.
 12. A structure according to claim1 wherein said spring beam members are inflatable.